Amusement device



Jan.5, 1960 B. BERGER 2,919,921

' AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Ngv. 30, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

BYW/g M7134 B. BERGER AMUSEMENT DEVICE Jan. 5, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov. 30, 1956 O-T-F 14 INVENTOR.

E am United States Patent() AMUSEMENT DEVICE y Bernard Berger, Detroit,Mich. Application November 30, 1956, Serial No. 625,275 V2 Claims. (Cl.273-145) The present invention relates to an improved amuse-A ment andrecreation device for a household or public game or play room for thepurpose of entertaining persons, young or old.

More particularly, the invention deals with a contest type of amusementdevice employing game pieces such as dice which are ordinarily castmanually by the participant onto a flat horizontal playing surface, theplayers score being noted or entered after each cast. lThe game ofIndian Dicev is a typical pastime of this sort, although it is to beunderstood that the invention is not particularly limited as to Ithecharacter of the game pieces employed, and whether or not the rules ofthe game call for scoring. Thus, cubes having the faces thereof markedto depict playing card characters or pips may be employed in playing asimulated card game, or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide an amusement device of thischaracter by which the players aots and the progress of play of the gameare simplified and greatly expedited by provisions to automaticallyvibrate the dice or equivalent pieces after each play, and thus changethe distribution and placement thereof on the playing surface. This isdone by means of an electrically energized vibrator associated with aloosely mounted `playing table to shake the same with substantialfrequency and amplitude each time a control push button is manuallyoperated by the player.

More specifically, it is an object to provide an improved, manuallycontrolled amusement device embodying a vibratory table member asdescribed, preferably enclosed by a retaining wall of substantialheight; an electromagnet coil with which this member is associated as anarmature; a push button switch controlling the completion of a vibratingcircuit through the coil, .thus causing the playing pieces to be quiteviolently vibrated, tossing them vertically and displacing themhorizontally on the surface upon each such simulated cast; and,preferably in accordance with a further refinement of the invention, asuitable time delay means whereby the period of vibration may bemaintained for any desired interval, cutting off automatically at theexpiration of that interval.

Yet another object is to provide such an amusement device which may berelatively inexpensively produced in any desired size to accommodate anydesired number of players, and which may be produced in any desireddegree of richness and attractiveness of appearance. It is thus seenthat a device is afforded which is suitable for use in a club game room,a household play or childs room, a commercial or public recreation hall,and the like.

Another and more specific object is to providev a device for theperiodic agitation and bodily displacement of playing pieces, asdescribed, in which dead spots on the playing surface, at which aplaying piece or pieces might remain substantially undisplaced evenunder vibration, cannot occur. On the contrary, the provision of acushion mounted playing table, loosely sustained within a confiningwall, insures that all pieces are agitated with uniform and considerableviolence upon each manipulation of the push button switch by theparticipant.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying draw' ings, wherein:

Fig. -1 is a perspective view of the device, showing a numberof-dice-like play pieces on its playing surface;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the device, with a. wall panel removed;Y

Fig. 3 is a top plan view partially broken away to show the electricalcomponents and table mounting means; and

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram showing essential vibratingv and controlcomponents and their operative connections.

The device of the invention, shown in a very simple unpretentious form,comprises a suitable open-topped casing or cabinet 10 provided withupstanding walls 11 arranged in a rectangular outline and secured to abase panel 12. This casing may be fabricated in any desired size oroutline, and any desired degree of linene'ss of finish, depending uponthe type of installation which is contemplated, the permissible sellingprice, etc.

The reference numeral 13 designates the playing panel or table of thedevice. 14 of ferrous, magnetically responsive material, faced on itstop with 4felt or like fabric 15, suitable for the purpose, such ascommonly surfaces billiard tables. Table 13 is of approximately the samesize and outline as the playing space enclosed by walls 11 but hassulcient lateral clearance to be free of binding by the latter.

The height of the walls 11 is sufficient to provide an enclosure abovethe panel 13 of sufficient depth to pre` vent the playing pieces,represented by the dice 16, from bouncing out during their vibration.The corners within the walls are occupied by fixed rounded corner posts17, and the walls and posts are faced with fabric in the same way as thetable panel 14. It is seen particularly by reference to Fig. 2 that theposts 17 are spaced slightly above the table 13, affording corner nichesreceiving the corners of table 13. This permits a desired unimpededvertical throw of the table throughout its area.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, opposed walls 11 are provided withhorizontal shoulders or ledges 18 to support the table 13, and at eachcorner of the enclosure these shoulders carry cushions 19 of sponge orfoam rubber or equivalent soft, readily compressible, sound deadening ordamping elastic material. Upon these cushions the corners of the panel13 rmt, loosely projecting beneath the corner posts 17, as described,and being free for vertical movement of substantial amplitude beneaththe same. In order to permit access beneath the table, for servicing, itis desirable that one of the walls 11 or the base 12 be removable.

'Ihe reference numeral 20 generally designates an electromagnet coilmounted on a three pole core 21, with the center pole piece 21 of thecore facing upwardly and spaced somewhat beneath the lower metal basepanel 14 of the table 13. The top of the pole piece 21 is provided witha foam rubber cushion or bumper 22 which lies somewhat beneath the metalpanel 14, and it is evident that, upon energization of the coil 20 by analternating current voltage, the table 13 will be attracted toward andreleased from the pole piece 22, the panel 14 acting as an armature.

In order to emphasize the vibratory effect, a selenium rectifier 23 isincluded in the circuit (Fig. 4), acting to cut olf half the currentsine wave peaks. The current ow is unidirectional, with spaced surgesimpart- Patented Jan. 5,1960?` It comprises a thin base sheetv E ing an.emphatic vibration to table 13. lt may be desirable in some instances toemploy two rectiers, one each in series with the coil 20 and relay 25,in substitution for the single rectiiier 23.

The reference numeral 24 designates a conventional push button switchcontrolled by the player from the exterior of the casing; while thereference numeral Z designates a conventional time delay relay acting tocontrol a contactor 26, by which the duration of flow of current throughthe coil 20 is determined. This relay is an entirely conventional type,provided with means (not shown) by which the delay period may beadjusted as desired, say, for two or three seconds. The electricalcircuitry of Fig. 4 is simple and self-explanatory.

The operation of the device should be clear from the foregoingdescription. With the dice or like playing pieces 16 resting on the topof table 13, a closure of the bush button switch causes theelectromagnet coil 20 to produce a high frequency vibration of the panel13, in an amplitude sufiicient to cause the cushions 19 to be verticallycompressed, then released, and the pieces 16 to be tossed and thoroughlyredistributed as to their position and exposure of their markedsurfaces. Relay 25 holds the circuit for the desired interval.

The players score Will be entered upon an appropriate scoring sheetafter each play or simulated cast following a depression of the switch24. The speed at which the game can be played is therefore seen to belimited practically only by the amount of time taken to enter successivescores, should the rules followed so prescribe. Obviously, play of thegame may be carried out at a pace far in excess of that required whenthe individual pieces are picked up after each play, placed into a dicecup or the like, and again cast.

The provision of a cushioned mount 19 for the vibratory table 13 at eachof its corners and cushioning of the coil core at 21', allowing anunrestrained vertical movement and return spring of the table in eachsuch zone, eliminates the possibility of dead spots, at which the panelis vibrated not at all, or in an amplitude insuicient to properly tossand displace the pieces 16.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An amusement device comprising an open-topped box-like enclosureincluding an upstanding peripheral Wall, and a thin game piecesupporting panel disposed l within said wall and confined thereby withsubstantial lateral clearance to permit looseness of action of the panelat its margin, cushion means of vertically yieldable, rubber-like, sounddamping material within said enclosure upon which said panel rests andis resiliently sustained at said margin thereof, said enclosure wallhaving means substantially spaced above said panel at said margin forvertically restraining the panel while permitting appreciable verticaltoss at said margin, and an electrically energizable device beneath saidpanel acting when energized to eiect such toss.

2. An amusement device comprising an open-topped box-like enclosureincluding an upstanding peripheral wall, a thin game piece supportingpanel of magnetically responsive material disposed within said wall andconned thereby with substantial lateral clearance to permit looseness ofaction of the panel at its margin, cushion means of verticallyyieldable, rubber-like, sound damping material within said enclosureupon which said panel rests and is resiliently sustained at said marginthereof, said enclosure wall having means substantially spaced abovesaid panel at said margin for vertically restraining the panel whilepermitting appreciable vertical toss at said margin, an electricallyenergizable magnet unit disposed beneath the central zone of said panelin closely spaced vertical relation thereto, and an electrical circuitto energize said magnet unit and vibrate the panel, including a manualswitch and an electrical time delay unit wired with said magnet unit toenergize the latter upon actuation of said switch for a predeterminedperiod determined by said time delay unit.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,290,689 Ward Jan. 7, 1919 1,330,284 Shafer Feb. 10, 1920 2,043,166Hart et al. June 2, 1936 2,073,205 Grunig Mar. 9, 1937 2,104,314 `WoodJan. 4, 1938 2,121,838 Stewart June 28, 1938 2,481,680 Mills Sept. 13,1949 2,618,888 Hoff Nov. 25, 1952 2,717,158 Dieterich Sept. 6, 1955

